Phalaenopsis orchid plant named `PHALDRIDOP&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALDRIDOP’, particularly characterized by having small, white flowers, 1 to 3 peduncles that are medium-long and sturdy, leaves that are oblong, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALDRIDOP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALDRIDOP’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous attractive and unique small white flowers, suitable for pottedplant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALDRIDOP’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in April 2005 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands of theproprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘22819-01’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘01-1696’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands in July 2008. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2011 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europeon Apr. 18, 2016. ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has not been made publicly available orsold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing dateof this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands and can be used todistinguish ‘PHALDRIDOP’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant.

-   -   1) Small, white flowers;    -   2) 1 to 3 peduncles;    -   3) Peduncle is medium-long and sturdy; and    -   4) Shape of the leaf is oblong.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, budsand foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands,from 50-week old plants in June 2016. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds and foliageof ‘PHALDRIDOP’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALDRIDOP’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the leaves of ‘PHALDRIDOP’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALDRIDOP’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, TheNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in June 2016 on50-week old plants which were planted from a nursery tray in 12centimeter, (diameter) pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALDRIDOP’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘22819-01’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-1696’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green colored roots with branching            lateral roots having light purple colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Approximately 48 to 50            weeks from a rooted cutting to finish in a 12 cm pot.        -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Standard, green leaves, raceme to            panicle.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 30.0 cm to 40.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 30.0 cm to 34.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering Length (fully expanded): 15.0 cm            to 18.0 cm Width: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm Shape: Oblong Base shape:            Moderately elongated Apex: Rounded unequal Leaf blade angle            with the petiole (measured from the horizontal position):            Between 0 degrees and 30 degrees Leaf margin: Entire Color:            Upper surface: RHS 146A Lower surface: RHS 146B Texture:            Rough Thickness: 2.1 mm to 2.4 mm Venation: Pattern:            Parallel Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A Lower            surface: RHS 146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—16 to 22.        -   Length.—30.0 cm to 40.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—4.5 mm to 4.8 mm.        -   Strength.—Sturdy.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendant.        -   Texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Color.—Mix of light green (RHS 144A) and light brown (RHS            177A).        -   Internode length.—4.0 cm to 4.5 cm.        -   Callosities.—None.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme to panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 160.0 mm to            180.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12 cm (diameter) pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 50.0 mm to 52.0 mm Diameter: 63.0 mm to 65.0            mm Depth of lip: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 10 to 15 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm Width: 14.0 mm to            16.0 mm Shape: Egg shaped Color: Light green (RHS 145C) and            diluted purple (RHS 183B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free Shape: Semi-circular Apex:            Obtuse asymmetric Margin: Entire Length (from base to tip):            29.0 mm to 31.0 mm Width: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS N155C)            Over color: Absent Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            N155C) Over color: Slightly light purple in the middle (RHS            76C).        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic Apex: Rounded Margin: Entire            Length (from base to tip): 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm Width: 18.0 mm            to 20.0 mm Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic            color: White (RHS N155C) Over color: Absent Lower surface:            Basic color: White (RHS N155C) Over color: Slightly light            purple in the middle (RHS 76C).        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate Apex: Obtuse asymmetric Margin:            Entire Length (from base to tip): 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm Width:            19.0 mm to 21.0 mm Color (when fully opened): Upper surface:            Basic color: White (RHS N155C) Over color: Absent Lower            surface: Basic color: White (RHS N155C) Over color: Light            purple (RHS 76C).        -   Labellum (lip).—Margin: Entire Whiskers: Present Length of            whiskers: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm Color of whiskers: White (RHS            NN155C) Pubescence on the lip: Absent        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Spatulate Length (from base to tip):            17.0 mm to 19.0 mm Width: 12.0 mm to 14.0 mm Color: White            (RHS NN155C) with yellow on one side (RHS 7A) and a few            brown stripes at the base (RHS 172B).        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular Length: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm            Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm Color: White (RHS NN155C) with            yellow at the base (RHS 7A).        -   Callus.—Average size: Small to medium Height: 0.5 cm to 0.6            cm Length: 0.5 cm to 0.6 cm Width: 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm Color:            Yellow (RHS 9A) and dotted (RHS 174A/B).        -   Reproductive organs.—Column: Length: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm            Diameter: 4.2 mm to 4.4 mm Color: White (RHS NN155C)            Pollinia: Quantity: 2 Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.1 mm Color:            Yellow-orange (RHS 23A) Ovary: Length: 5.0 mm to 7.0 mm            Diameter: 1.9 mm to 2.1 mm Pedicel: Length: 29.0 mm to 31.0            mm Diameter: 2.1 mm to 2.3 mm Color: Light green at the base            (RHS 146A), white (RHS NN155C) and light purple (RHS 76D)            towards the flower.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘PHALDRIDOP’ differs from female parent plant ‘22819-01’ (unpatented) byflower size and plant length. ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has narrower flowers andshorter plants than ‘22819-01’.

The male parent of ‘PHALDRIDOP’, cultivar ‘01-1696’ (unpatented), is nolonger in existence, so a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALDRIDOP’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘ANTWAREN’ (unpatented) and ‘PHALTULEN’ (unpatented). ‘PHALDRIDOP’differs from the commercial variety ‘ANTWAREN’ in that ‘PHALDRIDOP’ haslateral sepals that are evenly colored with no overcolor, whereas‘ANTWAREN’ has lateral sepals that are dotted with light greenovercolor. Additionally, ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has an apical lobe that is whiteand yellow, and a pedicel that is light green at the base with white andlight purple towards the flower, whereas ‘ANTWAREN’ has an apical lobethat is white and yellow with brown at the base, and a pedicel that islight green at the base with white towards the flower.

‘PHALDRIDOP’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALTULEN’ in that‘PHALDRIDOP’ has an apical lobe that is white and yellow and a mediumcurvature of the lateral lobe, whereas ‘PHALTULEN’ has an apical lobethat is white with green at the base and a strong curvature of thelateral lobe. Additionally, ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has a callus that is yellow anda pedicel that is light green at the base with white and light purpletowards the flower, whereas ‘PHALTULEN’ has a callus that is green andyellow and a pedicel that is light green.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALDRIDOP’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.